MLDS Director Excited About New Generative AI Course
Diego Klabjan discussed the program's newest class and how he thinks it will help students differentiate themselves professionally.
Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) program (formerly the MSiA program) prepares students to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to guide teams, organizations, and society into the future.
That is why the program introduced a new course this quarter that will help students understand the latest innovation: Generative AI.
Generative AI is taught by MLDS director Diego Klabjan. Throughout the quarter, students will explore fundamentals of generative AI, practical implementations, and cutting-edge advancements in the field.
Klabjan sat down to discuss the class and how he thinks it will help students differentiate themselves professionally.
What do you think the general public still doesn't understand about generative AI?
Many people are not fully aware of the transformative potential of generative AI and how it can significantly enhance productivity in various aspects of life. While some may have heard of its capabilities, such as creating art, writing music, or generating realistic text, they may not realize the extent to which it can be integrated into everyday tasks and yield benefits in professional work.
From automating content creation and providing personalized learning experiences and fostering innovative research and creativity, generative AI offers a multitude of benefits that can revolutionize personal productivity. There are also purely business applications such as creating sales material that are hidden from the general public.
The same strength that makes generative AI so remarkable also presents significant challenges. One of the main difficulties is dealing with hallucinations — instances where the AI produces information or content that is not grounded in historical facts.
Public understanding of both the benefits and the potential pitfalls of generative AI is crucial for its responsible and effective adoption.
What are your primary goals for the course?
For the students to learn how the technology works, how to write generative AI applications, and to understand the broader implications of generative AI in various fields. By the end of the course, they should be able to create practical applications and critically evaluate the outputs generated by AI systems.
What types of hands-on projects will students be working on during the course?
They will develop RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) applications, such as building a simple question-answering system that retrieves information from a predefined dataset to provide accurate and relevant answers to user queries. They also will develop AI agents, like creating a personal assistant that can manage a user's schedule by sending reminders and making appointment suggestions.
Additionally, students will fine-tune models using Python frameworks, enhancing their understanding of how to adapt pre-trained models to specific tasks and improve their performance in real-world applications.
How do you think this class will better prepare students to stand out as they're looking for jobs?
By participating in this class, students will gain comprehensive and applied knowledge of generative AI, which will significantly enhance their employability. Unlike ad-hoc self-learning, this formal education provides a structured and in-depth understanding of the technology, its applications, and its implications.
Students will engage in hands-on projects that involve developing real-world applications that will provide them with practical experience and technical skills that are highly valued by employers. The course will also emphasize critical thinking and the ability to evaluate AI-generated outputs.
This holistic approach ensures that graduates are not only proficient in using generative AI tools but also capable of innovating and leading in various fields where AI is becoming increasingly integral.
What excites you about the class?
The most exciting aspect of the class is the immense value it will bring to the students, equipping them with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in generative AI that are highly sought after in today’s job market.
The dynamic nature of the field also means that the course content must be continuously updated to reflect the latest advancements and trends, ensuring that the material remains relevant and innovative. This constant evolution provides a stimulating challenge for me as an instructor and keeps the learning experience fresh and engaging for the students.
